Zion Field of Dreams

Plan on coming to Zion, Illinois in 2010 to see an

Independent Northern Minor League baseball team

still to be named. Why?  Chances are you may see

Kevin Costner who is part of the ownership group

who have purchased a team.  Like the film he starred

in,  he’s hoping if they build it, you will come.

Just another reason to come to Illinois, baseball

is big here.  And while you’re visiting Zion, you can

plan that side trip to Chicago.  It’s all happening

here in Illinois.  See ya soon!

 

 

Inauguration in Chicago

 

January 20^th a date that won’t soon be forgotten.

The President was inaugurated and there

were celebrations all over the United States

and around the world.

 

I did my share of celebrating. I watched the

inauguration with a group who were

celebrating at Dine in Chicago. We had the

Obama-centric buffet lunch, Musubi- the

Hawaiian sushi delicacy made with spam,

macaroni salad, spam fried rice, fried chicken

and the Obama family recipe chili. The dessert

was cheese cake with raspberry sauce. Most

enjoyed the buffet and dared to try the spam

sushi, which wasn’t bad.

 

It was something to watch all the pomp and

circumstance that was part of the inauguration.

Seeing Anthony McGill a Chicagoan perform

with the masters Issak Pearlman and Yoyo Ma

was an exciting musical experience as well as

hearing Aretha do her version of My County

Tis of Thee.

 

Of course what Mrs. Obama was wearing

was a topic of conversation, she will now

set the fashion barometer for most of the

women in the United States. She was quite

stylish in her satin wool lace ensemble by

Cuban born designer Isabel Toledo.

 

Between the celebrities and the politicians,

it was a packed observation area for the

oath. History was being made and everyone

who is anyone wanted to be there to witness

the event. There were 1.4 million in DC

on the mall for Obama’s inauguration, up

one million from the inauguration of 2005.

People as far as the eye could see from all

walks of life.

 

We all cheered and clapped in the restaurant

when the tv crowd went wild. People were

wearing their Obama shirts and buttons showing

their pride and letting their support be known.

 

I arrived home in time to see the President and

Mrs.O leave the motorcade and begin walking

down the receiving route on Pennsylvania Avenue.

They began walking a bit before their

scheduled time and were excitedly

received by the crowd.

 

I’m glad I was able to be part of a group

high in spirit to celebrate this event. Everyone

sharing their Obama stories and their delight

with the new president. Most were going to

continue the celebration into the evening. I

was continuing my celebration at home and

was happy I was able to be out for the Obama

-centric lunch. Looking for better times ahead,

all that were on the mall in DC and having

lunch at Dine are looking forward to the

change Obama hopes to accomplish with

our help.

 

I’ll just go out on that limb now and say

happy days are almost here again….

 

 

 

The Obama Chicago Affect ~Part Two

Yes, this is what I love about my city.  It has taken them no time to

put together the sites that you want to see that have the Presidential

stamp.  They want you to experience the Chicago the Obama’s enjoy.

Put together your own fun from the suggestions at   http://www.choosechicago.com

Hip hop at the airport…

It was Saturday and I was hoping to sleep late. I actually was scheduled

to do an extremely early meet, greet and assist at O’Hare. It wasn’t so bad

because of the group I was assisting. If anyone is familiar with hip hop,

it was one of the founding members of N.E.R.D. He has produced for the

likes of Gwen Stefani, Britney, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dog and Madonna.

The group of four were very nice, quite easy going and most respectful of

my assistance.

 

Coming in on an 11 hour flight from Japan with a four hour layover in

Chicago before going on to Miami, what a way to spend a Saturday. It was

cool to walk through the airport and see people recognize this person and

actually give a shout out. He was quite humble. Only one person stopped

to ask for a photo while we were in the waiting area. The time went quickly

as each person was texting on their hip device and I read. Conversation broke

out when one in the group had changed his phone number…in the time

we had been in the airport and of course they all found out in the text

message he sent. Yea, that was an interesting conversation. It was a

good way to spend a Saturday morning and I had the rest of the day

free to go check out the latest downloads of N.E.R.D.-and the Neptunes.

This for sure is just another urban girl’s view.

 

The Obama Affect on Tourism in Chicago

As I watched Barack Obama give his acceptance

speech on television, I kept seeing the buildings

of the Chicago skyline in the background. I was

overcome on many levels as Obama spoke and

the tears came to my eyes when I realized he

was speaking those words in my city. There

were already tons of news media from around

the world here to record this historic event but

it really drove it home as I saw the Chicago

skyscrapers lit with Grant Park filled with people

all sharing the same feeling in my city. As this was

being shown all over the world it dawned on me

tourism in Chicago is going to enjoy a surge now

because it is the home of a president.

 

I have previously taken bus loads of tourist by

Obama’s Hyde Park residence until his

nomination and then the Secret Service

tightened the accessibility to the streets

surrounding his residence.

 

Besides watching a history making speech, I was

seeing Chicago the best it ever looked. I knew

people will want to come here for the Chicago

experience.

 

It was back in the the late 1800 when a New York

journalist referred to Chicago as the Windy City

because of our talkative politicians. I heard a

Chicago journalist make a reference to the

Windy City White House. Let’s hope his reference

can give new meaning to Chicago politicians

in a better light. Now that Chicago will be in

the media spotlight any time President Obama

takes a break from Washington there will be

people who hope to get a glimpse of the

president during his down time, even if he is

surrounded by Secret Service.

 

I can hardly wait, I am now prouder than ever

that I am from Chicago, the home of the 44^th

president. I know there will be an Obama

affect on tourism in Chicago and I will be

ready for it. I want to show others my city and

I know they will want to see the things past,

present and future that make Chicago great.

 

 

Chicago Film Festival Experience

 

Fun for me at the 44^th Chicago International Film Festival was kept

to a minimum this year. Out of the two weeks, I was only able to

see five films. In my opinion they were all good. I’ve been known

to do three films a day for the duration of the festival. It’s something

I always look forward to each year.

 

I saw Happy Go Lucky from the UK, directed by Mike Leigh.

Poppy always looked on the bright side of things. A primary

school teacher who wants to bring a smile to all she encounters,

we see the friends and family that she encounters along the way.

It’s a good story of what her life is like, we realize she’s not able

to bring brightness to all she meets.

 

Slumdog Millionaire, also from the UK and USA is the story

of Jamal and his brother as Jamal by chance becomes a

contestant and goes all the way on the Indian version of

Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Each answer that moves him

forward is a story of something that has happened in his

life. He is taken into custody accused of cheating because

how would an orphan homeless boy of the slums of India

know the answers. Not your typical Bollywood film though

done by the same director who did Trainspotting, Danny Boyle.

 

The Dukes from the US, written, directed and starring Robert Davi

(with Chaz Palmentari) is the story of a do wop group whose time

has passed. Davi, making his directorial debut gives us a dark

comedy of the trials and tribulation of The Dukes in the age of

technology. A cameo appearance by Roy Cappenella adds to

the oldies-but-goodies feeling of the film. Davi was on hand to

introduce the film and to answer questions afterward, he is a

very colorful person off and on screen.

 

Colin Hanks stars in The Great Buck Howard along with John Malkovich

who is pitch perfect in the character of Buck Howard loosely based on the

life of the Amazing Kreskin. Hank’s character drops out of school to pursue

life in the entertainment industry. This is an opportunity to see a father

(Tom Hanks in a cameo) give his son a piece of his mind about staying

in law school and having a real future. Malkovich gives a humorous

yet some what sad performance as the mentalist, The Great Buck

Howard, it’s an over the top performance for Malkovich. This screening

was hosted by the Junior Board with Hanks and director Sean McGinley

in attendance for questions after the film. Colin and Sean mingled with

festival goers and other guest directors during the after party at the

Undergound and seemed to be veterans to the festival circuit.

 

The Human Contract written, and the directorial debut of Jada Pinkett

Smith is a extremely dark story of a rising ad executive who encounters

a beautiful woman who lives and loves on her own terms. This is a

psychological drama that will make you stop to take stock of things in

your life. Paz Vega is the next Spanish actress to make a mark and

she over-delivers in her performance with Jason Clarke who gives

an excellent performance of the troubled ad executive. You will

surely have food for conversation after the film. Ms. Smith was

on hand with Jason Clarke and producer Dawn Thomas to give

the audience a background on what they may expect in the film

and to be open minded about the film. See this one when it comes

to your area.

 

During the course of the festival the Black Perspective committee

gave a Life Time Achievement award to Sidney Poitier and an

Emerging Artist to Common. In 2005 the Festival bought back

Spike Lee who ten years before was the first Black Perspective

honoree and came back to honor Ruby Dee. Viggo Mortensen

was on hand to receive the Career Achievement award during

the closing night film Good.

 

The Chicago International Film Festival is one of the oldest festivals

in the US. They have bought to light Michael Douglas’ producers

debut with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Martin Scorsese’s

directorial debut.

 

I have been part of the Festival for some time. I started of course

as an avid film goer, went on to do ticket sales and when the

Junior Board was formed in 1989, I was one of the first to be on

board and have remained. I’ve met many actors, producers and

directors from around the world and have seen film that have gone

on to major acclaim. This is one of the many things Chicago has to

offer and we were one of the first to imagine the film festival idea

in the US. The Chicago International Film Festival is something I

look forward to every year and if you ever have an opportunity, do

come to Chicago in October for the festival, you will have a great time.

 

For more information on the Chicago International Film Festival visit

http://www.chicagofilmfestival.com

Summer in Chicago for Me

Happy summer for all.  This is is how my July shaped up.  This is from my monthly update and July, so far, has been the best month of 08.  I will keep you posted if the other four top this one, but  July was what summer was all about.  I began with a film at the Midwest Indy Film Festival with Chicago being showcased in the film Diminished Capacity with Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick and Virginia Madsen, Cub fans will love this one.

After a festive fourth of July holiday I did a meet and greet/transfer with student athletes returning from competition in Amsterdam.  I connected with colleagues at a Second City event, volunteered again with Chicago 2016 for the Chicago Believes fund raising event that had all the big Chicago business movers and shakers in attendance at Millennium Park.

Cinema Chicago (The Chicago International Film Festival) hosted the Chicago Premier of Batman:  The Dark Knight, can’t even say how cool that was.  I visited the Field with CTPA colleagues and was at the United Center as a greeter when Joel Osteen visited Chicago.

On a rainy Saturday, I did a city highlights tour for a family reunion group and I was there when Buddy Guy received the first Performer of Illinois award at Millennium Park, connected again with colleagues at Castaways on a very breezy evening and participated with the Junior Board of the Film Festival when wee hosted the screening of Pineapple Express with an after party at Madame Tartine’s on east Hubbard.

I  had fun at the Guitar Hero’s party with Bridges Media and enjoyed Venetian night and fireworks from the lake on an architectural boat cruise.

I did another meet and greet/transfer with student athletes and ended July working the American Academy of Dermatology summer meeting at the Hyatt on Wacker. It was a fun July and I’m looking forward to August having just as much excitement. 

Enjoy what’s left of the summer and remain cool.

 

Sheboygan Falls High School Brass and Wind Ensemble’s Workshop at Concordia University

I had the opportunity to escort the Sheboygan Falls group. The students were in Chicago for fun and knowledge. The group was able to take in the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble performance at Pick Staiger on the Friday. The NU Ensemble performed one of my favorite pieces, Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland and they were directed by Mallory Thompson. Ms. Thompson is the director of bands, professor of music and coordinator of the conducting program at Northwestern. The evening’s performance of five pieces had Gerard Morris, doctoral assistant conductor taking the podium to conduct Commando March by Samuel Barber. It was a great evening and gave the students a topic of conversation to compare their styles and the pieces performed.

Sunday had the Sheboygan students in a workshop with Dr. Richard Fischer, professor of music and wind symphony conductor. Dr. Fischer is part of the faculty at Concordia University Chicago (River Forest). Visiting the Concordia campus early on a Sunday morning for the workshop had the student ready to perform right away. The ensemble performed A Movement for Rosa (Parks) and Watchman, Tell Us of the Night by Mark Camphouse. Camphouse (b.1954) of Oak Park, Illinois, has written primarily for symphonic winds and also for orchestra choir and chamber brass was formally trained at Northwestern.

The students were superb in their performance with positive comments from Dr. Fischer and unending praise for their professional sound. He admitted they needed a small amount of work, but they were delivering the performances in the upper caliber. The chaperon/parents were quite proud and supportive of their musical students. The students took the comments of Dr. Fischer and put them to use immediately realizing the comments had to do with feeling and delivery.

The Sheboygan Falls students enjoyed the weekend and their workshop. I get such a great feeling seeing high school student know and talk about symphonic pieces. In some school systems, music and art are not part of the curriculum. I can’t understand how you can not teach the enjoyment and appreciation of music and art to young people. A young person with a musical background will appreciate more things artistically.

I enjoyed escorting the group around during the weekend and it’s always a bonus for me when I get to hear performances of any kind. The Sheboygan Fall students are well on their way to greater appreciation of arts on all levels.

Visit the Flat Iron Building in Wicker Park Chicago April 12

Visit the Artists of the Flat Iron Building

The Flat Iron Building will be celebrating the grand opening of

their new tennant on the first floor.  Bank of America will be in

the spot that has seen every thing from a hot dog joint to a

cigar shop to a coffee shop.  Now as things continue

to change in the area, the Flat Iron Building welcomes it’s

newest tennant.  The artists that occupy the studios and

galleries will welcome Bank of  America to the community. 

Please join in the grand opening celebration happening on

Saturday April 12.  The building will be open for all to visit,

the artists enjoy those that appreciate art, stop by and

see some art, you never know, you just may buy something. 

It’s just that much fun!

Riverside High of South Carolina Performs in Chicago

 I had the opportunity to escort a group of students from Riverside High. For some of them this was their first time away from home and for some it was their first time traveling on a plane and for most, it was their first time in Chicago. Small town students meet the big city. They were ready for the adventure.

On the second day of the four day visit the group had the opportunity to perform at The Alice S. Millar Chapel on the Northwestern University campus. The chapel is a gift to Northwestern University of Mr. and Mrs.Foster G. McGaw. Alice Millar McGaw was Mr. McGaw’s mother. There are twelve stained glass windows that are quite beautiful and each tells a story. The great chancel window at the front of he chapel encompasses all of biblical theology in the themes of “Creation, Redemption and Triumph.”

The marvelous stained glass was designed by artist Benoit Gilsoul. Henry Lee Willet and his son E. Crosby Willet of the Willet Stained Glass Studio of Philadelphia, gave their special attention to the design, fabrication and installation of the windows which was completed in 1963, soon after the chapel opened.

As all took photos of the stained glass windows before settling in to perform in the sacred space. The sacred songs were delivered with a feeling of respect for the surroundings. Though the students performed to a very small audience, the chaperons, the chapel administrator and myself, the songs resonated the chapel and bought a peaceful feeling. The performance was to familiarize the students with the acoustics and performing in a sacred space.

From the Northwestern campus to the Daley Plaza was the next performance stop. The students were able to see the lake shore from Evanston to Millineum Park and realize that Chicago’s lake front is a free and clear space available for all. I was able to answer questions about city life as we made our way downtown.

The performance at Daley Plaza under the Picasso was actually in the lobby of the Daley Center court building. The fun renditions of songs from Hairspray and Fame had those traversing the building pause for a moment to enjoy the music and fun choreography. The students enjoyed performing and were fascinated by Picasso statue behind them.

After the performances it was fun time for all. The students had come to Chicago to perform and now it was time to take in more of the city and its sights. There was a tour of the Oriental and Palace Theatres as well as shopping to round out the day. And of course, no trip to Chicago would be complete without taking in a performance of Wicked.

It was one of four great days Riverside High had while in Chicago. They were here long enough to see snow and really experience cold. They had the Chicago food experience and stories to take back to their family, friends and classmates in South Carolina.